This is going to be Hell today. I don't like it when the temperature gets above about 85 degrees because I can't take the heat very well. I am originally from Montana where it is kind of a rare occasion if the temperature gets above 90. Thus I never had a reason to build up a tolerance for the heat. Well, today the forecast was for actual temperatures to be 95-100 and a heat index (the opposite of wind chill) of 105-110 degrees! I am gonna melt.

One thing that helped out for the preparations for the race is that Jerry and I didn't have a whole lot to do other than change the oil and do a basic once over of everything. We did make a couple modifications to the cooling system to help the car run cooler. We have been having problems with the water temperature running at about 240-245 degrees which is about 40 degrees too hot. Hopefully our efforts will help because this is the kind of day that will put anyone's cooling system to the test.

Jerry and I get to the track at about 6:30pm and the heat index is 107! It's a good thing that there is at least a decent breeze that helps a lot. Everything is ready to go. Man it is nice just to be able to unload and be ready, not like the weeks in the past where we have been scrambling to get everything back together and ready to go up until it is time to load up and then do the adjustments at the track at the last second.

Time to get lined up for the heat race. I start outside row 1. The track is already dry and there is not much traction so I have to remember not to overdrive the corners and not to run through the corners with the gas to the floor. I found out in our second night out that doesn't work on dry slick tracks. I just have to remember to keep my brain in gear. Green flag! I get a good jump at the start (my starts and restarts have gotten considerably better since I had a little talk with myself). I head for turn one in the lead and aim it toward the bottom of the corner. Usually the bottom is the slowest part of the track, but tonight that is the only place with moisture thus the only place with any traction. 4 of the 6 laps go by and I am still in the lead but coming out of turn 4 I slipped out of the groove a little and allowed 2 cars to get by. Now is not the time to panic. I am still in a transfer spot. If nothing else, just don't give up any more. The car is working well and I think I am still a little bit faster than the 2 that got around me, but the track is not good for passing tonight. Nothing eventful happened the rest of the race and I finish 3rd. I will transfer directly to the A. This is a good thing since it is so hot it will save a bunch of wear and tear on both the motor and the driver.

Our overheating problem is much better than it has been, however it is still a bit too warm. Considering how hot it is, I am happy with it. Jerry makes a couple minor adjustments to the air pressures in the tires and we are ready to go. I am starting inside the second row. Here we go...Green flag!!!

We all head in to the first corner and are all looking for the bottom groove. I stay right on the bumper of #10 who started on the pole and do my best not to get too anxious and overdrive the corner and end up slipping up and out of the groove. For the first 3 laps or so the #10 is holding to the bottom and so for now the #66 supertruck of Jeff Wittrock and I are battling back and forth for second, side by side. On about the 3rd lap, the first caution comes out just as Jeff spins coming out of turn 4. I thought he brought out the caution so I am figuring that I will be starting 2nd on the restart. Not to be. 66 spun after the yellow comes out so he gets his spot back right in front of me. Restart #1. Focus...don't overdrive on a dry slick track. Stay low and in the bottom groove. So far so good. I am calm and sticking to the game plan. 2 or 3 more laps go by and another yellow. On a dry track like this there tends to be a lot of cautions, not only in our class, but in every class. Tonight we are gonna test the flag man. Anyway, I restart 3rd again right behind the 10 and 66. Not much passing tonight. Green flag. Back to trying to get by the 66. A couple more laps go by and I finally get by the 66 truck and am back on the bumper of the leader, #10 Scott Borstad. Well finally driver error took over. I slipped up out of the groove just about a half a lane and just about spun out. Luckily everyone else must have checked up because I didn't lose any spots. About 2 laps later, I get back up to the leader and the same thing happened, however, this time 5 cars go by. Red flag! Turns out the other #41, Chad Graves has hit the wall coming out of 4 and rolls his car on the front stretch. Just what I need, a red flag when the temp is still about 95 degrees, I am in my firesuit, fire retardant underwear, gloves, hood sock and helmet...all the while sitting still with no breeze and a car that has a bad habit of getting real hot during cautions. Right now it is at 250 degrees. Jerry comes out with a water bottle and squirts the radiator to get the car cooled off. Meanwhile, during the red flag I think I am actually melting! Finally after about 10 minutes the wreck is cleared up and we can finally get moving again. I get to restart in 7th. We get going again and I am faster than most of the cars in front of me, but there is no way to get around them. 2 more laps and another caution! OK, this is getting to the point of not being fun any more. I just want this race to end so I can get out of this car and cool down. I am actually starting to feel a bit dizzy because of me being too hot. The final restart comes with 2 to go and the way we restarted is the way we finished. 7th place. That was my best finish yet.

I am happy with the way the night went, but also a little disappointed with myself. I had a chance to win and I let it get away. I have to keep on the positive side though. We are still getting better every week. The driver just needs more seat time. Time to head back to the garage and get ready for next week.

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